New York mission by ambulancemen

PUBLISHED: 06:54 20 July 2006 | UPDATED: 21:12 29 May 2010

The Stansted car wash team put in some practice on their own ambulance back at the station

TWO paramedics who are planning to run in the New York Marathon cleaned up on Saturday when their colleagues ran a charity car wash. John Cooper, 39, and Gary Kuppers, 32, who are both based in Dunmow, will be entering the competition in November and the

TWO paramedics who are planning to run in the New York Marathon cleaned up on Saturday when their colleagues ran a charity car wash.

John Cooper, 39, and Gary Kuppers, 32, who are both based in Dunmow, will be entering the competition in November and they hope to make at least £3,000 for Get Kids Going and the Essex Air Ambulance.

The main aim of the car wash, at Stansted Ambulance Station, was to raise money in advance of the race in New York.

John said: "Although we are looking for sponsorship we are organising a number of other events to try and boost the amount we raise, and the car wash was great fun.

"It wasn't difficult to choose the charities we wanted to support. The air ambulance was an obvious choice as we are both ambulance staff and we get to see first hand just how vitally important the service is.

"There are many situations when the air ambulance is crucial in helping critically ill patients, or people who are in locations, which are inaccessible to the land ambulance, get the treatment they desperately need.

"Get Kids Going is a charity that gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to participate in sport by providing specialist sports wheelchairs, sports grants and year-round support.

"It's an organisation that means a lot to me personally as my cousin has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, and she would have benefited enormously from Get Kids Going if it had existed when she was younger."

The two men are looking forward to what will be a challenge of a lifetime on the streets of New York.

"We were looking for something different to take part in that would capture the imagination of everyone, so that's why we decided to enter the New York Marathon," John said.

"It will be a great experience and a lot of hard work but the two charities we have chosen to raise money for really need all the support they can get."

John and Gary have planned another fund-raising event for later this month and hope to confirm several more before they cross the Atlantic to get on the start line on Sunday, November 5.

A disco is being held tomorrow night at Stansted Football Club on Cambridge Road, with tickets priced at £5.

For information about these events, and to pledge money to John and Gary's cause, visit www.justgiving.com/jcooper